Mode of



WM. BAKER, OF UTICA,.NEW YORK. i'

MODE 0F APPLYIG WATER T0 PROPEL MACHINERY.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 1,614, dated May 19', 1840.

T0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, l/ViLLiAM BAKER, of the city of Utica, in the State of New York, have discovered a new and useful mode 0f applying' the power of falling water to the propelling of mills and other machinery, thatV I have invented a new vand useful engine or machine to obtain the power of falling water, by which the said newly-discovered mode may be usefully applied; and'I dohereby declare that the Ifollowing is a full and exact description.

The well known pneumatic truth, that the pressure of the atmosphere on all surfaces is equal to 33 feet perpendicular pressure of water, or l5 pounds to every square inch, is a principal foundation of my invention, as it is by the agency of this pressure of atmosphere that the power of descending water is made available without requiring a perpendiculai' fall thereof; a descent over an inclined plane, and even over irregularities of surface being equally effectual, provided the same depression is finally obtained.

I will first explain the principle of obtaining an efficient power through the joint agency of the pressure of the atmosphere and of descending water, and I will then proceed to show how that principle is made practicable by my invention.

Let A, B, Figure l, be arvertical tube, through which the water hows from the flume C into the pool D E below. While the water is thus passing let the stopper F be inserted in the lower end of the tube. It is now evident that this stopper must sustain the pressure of the entire weight of the column of water resting upon it, and extending to the surface of the water in the flume C. Let the stopper F now be removed from the lower end of the tube and placed in its upper end at M. This beingdone the water in the tube will remain stationary, unless the length of the conductor from the lower end of the stopper at M to the surface of the water at P is more than 33 feet, being sustained there by the weight of atmosphere pressing on the surface of the water around the lower end of the tube, and the stopper will be pressed inward by a weight equal to that wiich pressed it outward when in the lower end of the tube. If the tube is more than 33 feet in length between the pointsjust mentioned the `water will decline in it, leaving a perfect vacuum at the upper end of the tube, the water still standing at an elevation of 33 feet above its surface inthe pool below. d Applying these principles' to Fig. 2 let P L be a similar tube communicating in like manner between the cylinder T andl the pool D E. The whole beingv filled with water, let the stopper H be removed, and it is evident that the weight before resting on the stopper H would now be transferred to the piston Si, and that this would be immediately depressed, with a velocityV corresponding to the escape of the water below, unless withheld by a` power equal to the weight of a column of water of a height of the surface of the water in the cylinder above that in the pool below, and of a caf' pacity equal to that of the piston itself. The same results are produced through,l the oblique tube X Y by the removal of the stopper G, notwithstanding' its greater length and inclination, the total depression from the upper to the lower end ofl both tubes being the same. And it is obviously y immaterial how gentle, or how abrupt the declivity may be over which this tube is`4 made to pass, or whether on a. uniform or ir'- regular surface, extending for alonger or shorter distance, pro-vided the same depres,

sion is finally obtained for the discharge, and provided the capacity of the tubeis suffi'- cient in all cases to discharge the same quart' tity of water. And it is also obvious that' the same amount of -pressure upon the piston S is obtained by the descent of the water through the inclinedl tube X Y as would be occasioned by the direct pressure of a body of water resting upon it, of a height equal to the descent through the inclined tube below. So that no greater head or perpendic4F ular descent of water is required than ,is sufficient to cover the piston and exclude the air. These explanations are intended to eX- einplify the principle of the new mode discovered by me of applying the power of fall `l ing water; and to show the practicability of, rendering efficient the whole power of ,falling water by usingit in conjunction with the pressure of the atmosphere.

I will now for the purpose of enabling? others skilled in the art, to make and use my invention, proceed to describe the engine which I have invented, by which this power is made to operate effectively, by a simple,

convenient and economical process, and by which a rotary motion is originally produced, applicable to the propulsion of any machinery whatever. The main or Working iio ` part of this` engine consists of two irregular cylinders, the ends ofwhich are seen 1n the,V

annexed out Fig. 3 at A and B. They are alike in all respects and maintain theshape seen in the ligurefrom end to end, belngof site, or in contact with the larger side of the other. Each cylinder has a shaft passing through its center, and projecting at eachV end suiiicientto form bearings, nicely turned 0E and'fitted to journal boxes placed in the sides of the boxE E Fig. 4 which incloses the cylinders. These cylinders may be n, formed by placing4 rmly upon the shaft the broken Vbottom Gr H Fig. Sis added, forming aV material to be used and first turning off a perfectcylinder of the size of the smaller diameter. `Then adding the material vdesigned for the outer, or larger diameter,- turn ofi' its surface to the required size. The difference between the two diameters projecting equally on opposite sides of the cylinder irst formed, form the buckets of the respective wheels, or cylinders, to which the propellingpower is applied.V The position of these cylinders is such that their buckets in making their revolutions, lock by each other as they meet at the point of conjunction; and for this purpose the outer, or larger half of each, falls a little short of. a semicircle, and each bucket is curved inward to prevent its interference with the outer point of the opposite bucket in passing,`

forming a crescent on one side of the smaller or first mentionedV cylinder. l

The cylinders are kept in their proper relative position by two cogged wheels of simi lar circumference, as seen at a a Figf'l, one of them attached to the shaft of each cylinder, on the outside of the box or incasement as seen in` Fig.` 4 which represents an exte`V rior View ofthe engine, or one side of the box, and the connecting wheels which are left oii in Fig. 8. The top and bottom of this .box are so constructed as to present the guards C D E F, Fig. 3, leaving just space enough between those above,and below each `cylinder to permit itsV largest diameter to pass in Vmaking a revolution. This box is'extended at the bottom and the additional untrunk to receive the water after it has passed the engine, and to transmit `it to the co'nductor N; 1

The whole engine when completed, is

placed in a fiume, or lreservoir I K H L Fig.

- 3 intofwhich the waterflows completely cov# ering it. The conductor NJ is attached for the' purpose of receiving the water that has c acted upon and passed the engine and con-` ducting it down the declivity, or descent which may be obtained below, either oblique or perpendicular and discharging it the;A

Y foot` of the fall tobe used.' Itmade tight by'beingburied underground or otherwise, anddischarges under water, excluding `the air from the 4lower orifice.` The gate T being raised,the airin the conductor is forced outat its `lower end by tliedescent `ofthe water, f or it. risesthrough the water and issues at its surface Ain the fiume, and its place is supplied by thewaterfwliich completely fills the conductor. If by reason of heavy machinery attached to the engine, the head of water above is not suiiicient to turnit so as -to permit theconductor tobefilled` through the engine, in that casea gate is used on the l side of the conductor, `within the flume, which being raised admits the water from 'the flume into the conductor independent of ,faces prevents all passage betweenthem, no

supplyv can be given the conductor from above, unless the bucket yields to the pressure upon it, and moving onward, brings the smaller diameter of its cylinder opposite the lguard E, `thus opening a passage for the water following it.A This it will do under a weight of pressure equaltoa column Aof water of a width and breadth corresponding to the dimensions of the bucket, and of a height equal to the elevation of the surface of the Vwater in the flume above that intoV which the conductor discharges below. A portion of this pressure corresponding to that part of the fall below the engine, being from the weightof atmosphere pressing on the surface fof the Vwater in the flume, and

`made effective by the gravity ofthe water` in the conductor, repelling acorrespondent amount of atmospheric pressure at its lower orifice, and thus tending to the creation of'a vacuum in the upper part of the conductor,

and in the space under the two cylinders.

That the amount of `pressure here mentioned will be exerted upon the bucket M to propel it forward undiminished by any tion of theiigure. Each `of the cylinders in the position they there occupy, independent Vof the bucket.. M presents `t0 A, the `pressure Y Vcou'nterpressurais .obvious from an inspec-A vcirclefrom MA to the guard EfgEach with# out the bucket .SM sustaining a pressure equal onfeitherside of its axis,1 would be held n Y fegaz'llbrz'o, andy-.capableof being moved .als` 13o i covered by the bucket P receives a pressure` equal to that on the bucket M, bringing the cylinder A into a state of equilibrium. At the sameinstant the bucket P receives a pressure equal to that upon either of the buckets on the cylinder A, whilethe 0pposite bucket 'on the cylinder B is not pressed.

upon at all. Consequently the cylinder B is forced around till it occupies a position corresponding to that of cylinder as seen in Fig. 3. The bucket P occupying on the out` side of its cylinder the same relative position of the bucket M in the iigure, and re-. ceiving the same pressure, yields to it, and continues its revolution. Thus a continuous motion is given to the two cylinders, each obtaining the advantage of a preponderating lever for half its revolution, equal in length to the width of its bucket, a co-unterpressure on its opposite bucket being prevented by the guard interposed by the larger diameter of the other cylinder. And as the semidiameter of o-ne cylinder, measured through its largest, added to the semidiameter of the other measured through its smallest diamk eter, just equal the distance between the centers of the axes of the two cylinders, and as these are always in conjunction between the two, no passage for the water is ever permitted there, hence it is driven alternately to pass on the outside of each cylinder, and under the guard C or D as the respective smaller semicircles of the cylinders are presented, and in each case carrying with it the bucket of the cylinder which occupies the passage before it.

The gate T is used to close the conductor, and stop the engine. It consists of a section of a hollow cylinder, bolted to the ends of iron arms, o-r radii as seen in the figure. It lies horizontally the whole length of the passage, and a journal projects at each end from the diverging point of these arms, fitted to boxes placed in the sides of the conductor, one of which passes through and receives a crank on the outside by which the gate is opened and closed. This crank and the rod by which it is worked are indicated by the dotted lines at H and L. The gate is raised by a lever, screw or any other means applied to the upper end of the rod L. It is represented in the figure as being raised, permitting a free passage of the water from the engine to the conductor.

vBy depressing the rod L the gate is thrown down when it completely closes the VVpassage, and the engine stops. This being 'done the water stands in the conductor, being sustained there by the passage ofthe atmosf phere on the surface of the water below, into which the conductor is discharged, "and the entire weight which had before pro;

pelledV the engine is now lsustained by the gate. The instant that is again raised, this rweight ,is transferred to the bucket which happens tobe in the proper position toreceive it, and the engine is again putin motion.

The gatemay be placed in any convenient position, either` below the engine to bar the yescape of the water from it, or above td prevent its admission to it.' In either case its., Y effect 1n governing the motion of the engine will be the same. Any other form of gate maybe used,\as the common latticega'te, for

anyvother form that may ,be convenient. lBut as-the gate whenclosed sustains a heavy pressure, unnecessary friction should be avoided. f

The fall in the stream which may be at command, or which it may be desirable to use, may be divided, and such part used above and such part below the engine as may be convenient, the power exerted on the engine being the same; and it being only necessary that suflicient depth of water be used above to keep the engine covered so. as completely to exclude the air.

The cylinders may be made of wood or iron, and in either case should be turned off or otherwise made true on their shafts, and so placed in the frame or box surrounding them that they will move as close to each other, and to each of the guards as may be without rubbing. If great exactness or economy in the expenditure of water is required, the smaller circle of each cylinder may be made an entire independent cylinder, and made to turn on the shaft within the concave of the larger, and thus being movable the two cylinders may run in contact. Packing may in that case be used within the concave of the larger cylinder, thus totally excluding the passage of any water. v

The comparative sizes of the largerand smaller cylinders are confined to no exact proportion. Such a proportion as will make the projection for each bucket equal to onesixth of the larger diameter of the cylinder will be found to work well. n

The conductor may be made of wood, or iron, or of any other material of which a tight conductor may be formed, and for certainty and ease in excluding the air and to be free from frost and other casualties, should be covered with earth.

to the end of one or both of the shafts of eoy l` the space between them and the'sideof the the two -cylinders, Which orthat purpose are of suficient lengthzto pass through the sides-of the -i'iume so as to receive a Wheel, strap or other gearing free from the Water Should it be desirable to use tvvo or more engines near or `adjacent to eachother, bothl or as many as'may bei desired `may be oper# ated by one conductor. Thisis done by con# Y structing Within and upon the=bottom`iof the Vflume a tight horizontaltrunkhof suficient length and capacity to accommodate as manyengines as are to be used. The engines are placed Von the bottom of the flume in such a manner that this trunkoccupies y Hume,T and an aperture as atE F F ig. 3 is made to communicate With the interior of thisytrunk by a correspondingl aperture therein. The conductor through which the Water is to be .discharged Vcommunicates'also With this horizontal trunk from Without through the side of the flume.- The aperturev through which each Y engine communicates .With this horizontal trunk is contracted `to` such dimensions as are suilicient only to permit Water enoughtospass to. carryrthe engine, and agate is placed ateach of thesef passages. Either of the gates being raised, the discharge ofwvatervv from the `engine is into this common trunk and thence through the only escape from itv into the conductor.` The vacuum which isformed bythe reced' ing of the Water through the conductor con-v stantly pervading every part vof the horizontal trunk is communicated to the inxterior ofeach engine-Whenever its gate is raised, thus affording to `each engine Vthe benet of the entire fallthroughthe conductor, which in such case is of sufcient capacity to allovvfree passage to a volume of Water equal to the discharge from the gates of all The 'conductor being con- `stantly full the current or velocity of the `Water n` its passage through :it Willbe prothe engines.

portionate to the quantity admitted; from above,f or the number of gates raised, as no greater 'quantity can.V be discharged at its lower orifice i than -is permitted to enter above.

What: I claim as my invention and desire toV secure `by Letters Patent is, i

l. The method herein described of applyl ing the atmospheric pressure to propel a revolving `engine or machine by placing a conductor for the passage-.of the Water `belovv such engine or machine, by the descent.A of the-Water` in Which (conductor a pressure of atmosphere is brought to bear on the en- Y gine or machine corresponding to the height of the column ofvvater below it.

2. 4I also claimthe combination of therevolving cylinders and ,the inclosure in which they :are placed, With the conductor below such enginethe Whole being constructed, arrangedyand operating substantially inthe manner herein set forth.

" WILLIAM BAKER.` i

Witnesses: p i Y HENRY STONE, ARTHUR L. MGINTRE. 

